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Thursday, January 28, 2016

Peekaboo Mitts pattern by Abi Gregorio is a wonderful knitting project that takes just a little bit of time and scrap yarn. I used the magic loop method to make these peekaboo mittens. This is a good first project to learn how to use this method of knitting. Instead of double pointed needles, I use the one long circular needle. I use this method on sleeves, socks and now mittens. This yarn looks like candy to me! Perfect for my 9 year old.

I made a pair for myself too in stormy grey. I enjoyed being able to make something quickly, usually I am slow when it comes to knitting. These make great gifts for anyone. If you need to make a larger size choose a heavier weight yarn.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

I bought this designer inspired foldable bag at Sew For Less. It is one of my favorite ready to wear bags. I bought it purely to monogram it in July of 2014.
Here are a few others that would be fun to monogram....Amazon.com: NNEE® Water Resistance Nylon Tote Bag & Multiple Pocket DesignAmazon.com: Ecosusi Fashion Water Repellent Nylon Tote Shoulder Beach Bag Blue
I wore it out!! See the bottom of the nylon bag, all four corners had holes. Once it made it to this state, I couldn't continue using it. Until today, I pulled it out and decided to fix it. Every December 31, just like most people I suspect, I go through my closets and clothes. Looking through everything, I make a choice to keep, throw way or give to Good Will. I did not want to throw it way, I couldn't giving it to Good Will since I had monogrammed it. So I decided to fix it! This is a very basic bag. It does not have a lining.
I flipped it inside out and sewed across the two side corners.
The grey stitch line about an 1" from the edge fixed the holes in the bag.
TaDa! No more holes and it has life again! What pieces in your closet need a second chance?

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Today we are sharing an embroidery file of Smile Love Laugh. It is alined to the center of your hoop. You can use this design up to 3 times in the same hoop for 3 key fobs. It measures (9/16)"X 6 (7/8)" so it can fit inside a 5"X7" hoop. Step by step instructions for the key fob is here. Available in the following formats:

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

After sewing garments for myself last summer and loving every minute of selfish sewing, I have discovered how much I love to wear clothes that are especially made for me. I feel more comfortable in garments I sew. I choose to wear my handmade wardrobe pieces more than store bought clothes because they fit better which makes me feel more confident. The Coco sewing pattern from Tilly and the Buttons is so versatile. You can make a cute top or dress using this easy pattern. There are also different options for the collar, either boat neck or funnel roll. I had trouble deciding, so I made both a dress with the boat neck collar and a top with the funnel neck collar. I love 3/4 sleeves, so I kept that the same. After making the dress in a size 3 (35" bust size), I realized that it was a little to big. I made the Coco shirt in a size 2 (Bust 33") and it was the perfect fit for my 34" bust! The Coco shirt is definitely another wardrobe staple in my closet. I can wear it with skinny jeans, black pants or a pencil skirt. The only draw back is with a funnel neck line only cardigan sweaters or jackets work to layer. I truly love this pattern I am sure you will see more Coco garments in the future.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Miss K has been sewing since she was born. She would sleep as I held her in my arms sewing, so she is use to the humming of the sewing machine. Here is a picture of her decked out in Sew Spoiled Bags.

Now she creates her own bags and clothes for her American Girl dolls. We will show off more of her talents later this year. She is so much better than I am. She received the Sew Cool machine for Christmas and we have been sewing up a ton of pillows and felt cuteness. Here is a short video with the machine at work.

It has 3 needles at the top and 3 needles coming out from the bottom, so it is really acting as a felting machine. There is a needle guard so fingers do not get in the way. The kits make for easy sewing. You don't even have to cut the projects out with scissors when you buy a Sew Cool Kit. The machine comes with fabric and pattern templates and they are a little more intense to figure out and put together. We did some research and you can use any felt fabric not just the fabric they provide, even though that is what is stated all over the packaging. The machine takes 4 AA batteries to operate. So far, we are impressed even though she know how to sew with a real sewing machine she found this to be fun because the projects are made quickly.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

One of the warmest coats you will ever own is a down coat. The goose down feathers are warm and so soft. I found this coat several years ago at the Eddie Bauer outlet for $35. I have worn it for the past 5 or 6 years and I have never washed it. If you think about that, that is seriously gross! With colds, kids and dirt it is disgusting and needs a good bath. Now that I know how easy it is to wash, I will probably wash it more often.

This is the label, just to show you it is a goose down jacket

Here is the instructions in the coat. You will notice that it first suggests to dry clean it.

This is what my washing machine looked like when I programmed all of the settings in. I even saved the custom program incase we need it again. You could use this for sleeping bags too.

Last but not less you need to use the the lowest heat setting on your dryer. Place 3 tennis balls wrapped in socks to get the down clumps out. It took awhile to get everything dry and fluffy. My goose down jacket is rejuvenate with new life. It smells better and looks wonderful too.Wash your down coats!!!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

This year I am attempting to create classic staples that will expand my wardrobe. I want to design and make garments I will wear over and over again. I believe I have created my first wardrobe staple, this camel color corduroy skirt from the McCall's 6361. Some of its features include pockets, zipper fly and belt loops.

Pockets are a must since I have to carry my phone on me at all times.

The zipper fly makes the great fit possible.

Belt Loops are easy to add. Plus wearing a belt can help change your look by adding a belt.

The details in this skirt makes it one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. Plus the length is perfect for work or play. I can wear boots or ballet flats. Skirts are versatile and can move through more than one season with simple accessories like sandals or tights.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

This is a cute picture, it looks almost too perfect right? You guessed it, this jacket was too large and an eye sore in my closet. I do not remember how I received it but it has been hanging in my closet for years!!! I almost donated it this year and then I changed my mind and gave it a makeover. Now I love to wear it and it is a wonderful staple in my wardrobe.
This is the original fleece jacket. The length in the sleeves and body of the coat were fine, so I left those alone. However, it needed adjusting under the arms and slim down the torso part of the coat.
I turned the coat inside out and took a hoodie that fits and laid it over the fleece. Then I pinned the underarm and sides leaving alone the cuff and bottom hem. I had to take in the coat 4" from the underarm original seam to the new underarm seam. There are pockets on either side so I had to keep my stitches away from them.
After sewing the underarm and side seam with my sewing machine, I decided to serge it to give my fleece jacket a finished look. Although if you do not have a serger, fleece does not unravel so this step is extra.
Look at the material just peeling away. Love it!
Next I monogrammed the left lapel with my initials. Now this is my favorite fleece jacket and a new staple in my wardrobe. Cost $0.00!!! Do you have garments in your closet that you pass over weekly? Give them a makeover! Create new from old! I am going to dive into my closet and if I wear it I will leave it alone. If I never wear it, it is getting a Makeover! Makeover your closet today!
Happy sewing!

I wear skirts every week, doesn't matter what the weather is. I do have to have pockets. This pattern not only has pockets but you can make it a mini skirt like this or add an extra length to make it a longer skirt. I will be making this short version in corduroy!

This is one jeans pattern I am looking at testing out. I have to be honest, I am a little scared of making jeans. I have never had a pair of jeans fit right, so I am not sure if I could create a perfect pair of jeans. I am up to the challenge.

The Out and About Dress Pattern is on my sewing table as I type this post. I need fabric for this dress pattern.

I am thinking about sewing one in stretch velvet knit. I think it would look great as a winter dress. It has pockets!!! It will also look great with a pair of tights and boots, layered with a warm sweater!

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